Oroville woman, four others hurt in Highway 70 crash south of Marysville

MARYSVILLE — An Oroville woman and four other people were injured Wednesday afternoon when a car they were in crashed into a tree on Highway 70, south of Marysville.

The woman, Kristin Valadez, 28, of Oroville, was sitting in the front passenger seat of the car and suffered moderate injuries in the accident, according to Yuba-Sutter California Highway Patrol.

At around 4:25 p.m. Wednesday, Lao Vang, 33, of Sacramento, was driving the Honda north on Highway 70, at an unknown speed, when he failed to navigate a slight curve and went off the road in a straight path.

Continuing at a high speed, the car hit a tree head on.

Valadez's injuries consisted of abdominal pain and bruises. She was taken by ambulance to Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville.

CHP spokeswoman Jodie Beck said Thursday that three male passengers were in the back seat, Be Her, 18, and two boys ages 15 and 16, all from Sacramento.

The 16-year-old had major injuries and was taken by ambulance to Sutter-Roseville Medical Center in critical condition.

Vang was taken to Rideout with leg and collarbone pain, and the 15-year-old boy was also taken to Rideout for bruises and pain.

Her was taken to Sutter-Roseville with minor injuries.

Vang and Valadez were reportedly wearing seatbelts, but authorities were unable to determine if the rear passengers were.

Authorities are still investigating the accident and have not ruled out alcohol or drugs as a factor.

Any witnesses to the accident or the vehicle driving pattern before the accident are asked to call Yuba-Sutter CHP at 674-5141.